For one night, Dolores will be treated to music by The Groovers.
Andy Hutchinson usually plays for local bluegrass favorite The Last Nickel, but because some band members are out of the country, he has gathered a few friends to form a new band.
They’ll perform Friday, Jan. 16 during the Dolores River Boating Advocates’ Annual Permit Party at the Dolores Community Center.
“For one night only, we are calling ourselves The Groovers,” said Hutchinson, a banjo player and vocalist.
“That name was thrown out there, and we grabbed it,” Hutchinson said. “It’s tongue and cheek, but we decided to go with it for this party.”
Hutchinson has a way with names.
A “groover” is a not-so-romantic part of river rafting trips. It’s the name rafters gave portable toilets, a name referring to the grooves left on your behind from sitting on it.
He and his wife, Kate Thompson, and Mark Youngquist also had a band called Cowboy Sushi.
“We just like coming up with random names,” Hutchinson said.
Playing as The Groovers will be Hutchinson on banjo and vocals, Kate Thompson on guitar and vocals, Bobby Winteringham on mandolin and vocals, Chris Bouton on guitar, and Mark Youngquist on the banjolele.
Hutchinson said listeners will recognizes songs played by The Last Nickel, which performs at local events including Escalante Days and the Dolores River Festival.
“We will also play cover songs with a bluegrass twist,” Hutchinson said.
The Groovers start up about 8 p.m.
Hutchinson, who makes dories and is a Grand Canyon River Guide, said he plays whenever he gets the chance. One of his favorite venues is around the campfire on the river.
The Bees Knees (husband-and-wife Glenn and Krisi Smith) also will play during the permit party, about 6 to 7 p.m. Kristi says to watch out for her new lunch box guitar.
At 7 p.m., the movie “The Warm Springs” will be screened, and there also will be a silent auction, featuring a trip for two on the Yampa River, and beer and food vendors.
River permit information and applications will be available.
